Method and apparatus for evaluating the sagging conditions of a sealant

Abstract

A method and apparatus for measuring the sagging conditions of a sealant. The method is conducted by filling up a sealant in a retaining device, bringing the sealant into contact with a contacting device, moving the retaining device and/or the contacting device reciprocally and linearly to apply shear stress on the sealant and then separating the retaining device and the contacting device from each other to observe the shape of the sealant. The apparatus essentially comprises a retaining device for holding a sealant therein and a contacting device brought into contact with the sealant and a controlling device for moving the retaining device and the contacting device reciprocally and linearly.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for evaluating the sagging conditions of a sealant having thixotropy, comprising holding said sealant in a retaining means having an opening through which said sealant is filled and facing in a horizontal direction, bringing the sealant in the retaining means into contact with a contacting means, applying shear stress to said sealant by reciprocal linear movement of said contacting means for a predetermined number of times for a predetermined period of time, separating said retaining means and said contacting means from each other and thereafter examining the shape of said sealant to which shear stress has been applied. 
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1, wherein said retaining means also moves reciprocally and linearly toward and away from said contacting means during application of shear stress to said sealant. 
     
     
       3. A method for measuring the sagging conditions of a sealant having thixotropy, comprising holding said sealant in a retaining means having an opening through which said sealant is filled and facing in the horizontal direction, bringing the sealant in the retaining means into contact with a contacting means, applying shear stress to said sealant by reciprocal linear movement of said retaining means for a predetermined number of times for a predetermined period of time, separating said retaining means and said contacting means from each other and thereafter examining the shape of said sealant to which shear stress has been applied. 
     
     
       4. The method of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the maximum distance of separation of said retaining means and said contacting means from each other during reciprocal movement of said contacting means and/or said retaining means is less than 20 mm. 
     
     
       5. The method of any one of claims 1-3 wherein the shape of said sealant is examined by measuring a length corresponding to the distance from a center of said opening of said retaining means to a tip of said sealant extending horizontally and a length corresponding to the distance from a center of said opening to a tip of said sealant extending downwardly therefrom. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus for measuring the sagging conditions of a sealant which comprises: a retaining means supported so as to be capable of reciprocal linear movement in the horizontal direction and including an opening facing one of the directions of the reciprocal movement, said sealant being held in said retaining means; a contacting means supported so as to be capable of reciprocal linear movement on an extension of the line along which said retaining means moves and being brought into contact with said sealant held in said retaining means; and a driving device for moving said retaining means and/or said contacting means reciprocally and linearly so as to apply shear stress to said sealant and then for separating said retaining means and said contacting means from each other. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 6, including a switching means having a first position to cause said driving device to linearly reciprocate only said retaining means, a second position to cause said driving device to linearly reciprocate only said contacting means, and a third position to cause said driving device to linearly reciprocate both said retaining means and said contacting means. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 6 or 7, including means for varying the distance and speed of reciprocal movement of said retaining means and/or said contacting means.